tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838002842534622862024-02-06T18:10:04.756-08:00Elder Sterling M WoodruffKristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-7540818550687879612011-07-11T16:24:00.000-07:002011-07-11T16:30:54.380-07:00HAPPY 5th of JULY!!!!! <br /><br />All is well in Tonga! This past week was our most successful week yet! We are slowly break down the barriers in the ward and we now have the bishop on the same page as us and he is now helping. That was a huge accomplishment. Now we have built a good friendship there that is helping the rest of the ward open to us. <br /><br />The fourth of July was a lot of fun we went to a ward BBQ where we enjoyed music that we couldn't understand and food like green banana yummm! hahaha It was fun though =) We ended up playing rugby and getting a nice tan =) Then later in the day, we took our bikes to the BMX track with some other missionaries and finished our 4th there riding and jumping our bikes. It was a blast and a great holiday! I did crash pretty bad on our last run when I came up short on the jump and then ate it pretty bad. My legs are all banged up and so is my left arm and my left hand but all will be okay. Elder Leavitt came over and helped play doctor and picked the rocks and dirt out of my body with some tweezers and Q-Tips. I'll send some picture next week =) <br /><br />It's good to hear that the Texas trip was a lot of fun please tell grandma i love her and miss her. It's still crazy to think that I'll be home next July and will be able to spend it at home with family =) I cant wait! <br /><br />money- I think I'll be fine on money the ward feeds us a lot. and if they don't feed us they give us money. So I now have $50 total and I want to see if I can live off of it this month. I think the last thing I bought was new dress shoes because the ones I bought at Christmas were badly damaged while shooting hoops with the youth so Ross Dress for Less helped me find a new pair for I think $38. The only other think I need is a new pair of pants some day soon either this month or next month. Also are you guys sending me dress shirts? If so I need long sleeved shirts probably 5 of them size.....I think 15 1/2, 34-35. Well, I love and miss you guys so much have a great week =) <br /><br />Love,<br /><br />Elder Sterling Woodruff Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-53982029605267189392011-05-16T14:48:00.000-07:002011-05-16T16:25:30.245-07:00<div><div>Tuesday October 12<br />Today was a good Tuesday. We went and saw a wonderful old guy that we really like. He's really funny too! I love going to see him. We also taught two families, so it was a really good day. The struggles are many and patience is tested and retested but I'm hanging in. I'm headed to bed. Anyone who is reading this good night and sweet dreams.<br /><br />Wednesday October 13<br />District Meetings.<br />On the way to meetings we saw an ariel atom (car)! It was so cool! Seeing one in real life makes me want one!<br /><br />Thursday October 14<br />All our appointments cancelled and no one was home. It makes for a long day.<br /><br />Friday October 15<br />Exchanges!<br />I was on exchanges with Elder Hunter. He is an awesome elder. We taught one lesson.<br /><br />Saturday October 16<br />Service all day! I really like service. It gives me a chance to reset. So, we put in a fence and shoveled bark and then we fixed a winch.<br />I love you all and I thank you for your prayers.<br /><br />Sunday October 17<br />Stake Conference. It was great! I really enjoyed all the talks. We ate taco salad at a members home.<br /><br />Monday October 18<br />P-day. So today we shopped for two weeks of food. Next week we are taking our cultural day to see the sites of Seattle. Our new mission president is going to be stopping these cultural days so we need to go if we are going to do it.<br /><br />We had two lessons today. One was a member dinner and the other was with another member family.<br /><br />I got Lauren's picture! WOW! She looks great! Hope all is well at home.<br /><br />Tuesday October 19<br />Well, today was an interesting day. We tracted from 10-2 and then at about 2:30 we went on exchanges. I went with Elder Smith in his area. With Elder Smith we taught two lessons. The first one was with two new investigators. We were able to set up the return appointment but the Spirit must have helped set that one up because it wasn't because of our message.<br /><br />The cool part of the exchange is that the elders in this area live with the CEO of T-Mobile so I sleep in their home tonight. Cool beans! :-)<br /><br />Wednesday October 20<br />Well today was fun:-) I'm back in my area. We carved pumpkins with the Conrad family. We had a dinner appointment that forgot about us but they were kind enough to still feed us tuna fish sandwiches and then our night got crazy!<br /><br />So, we get a call from the church saying someone needs a blessing. So we go to the church. After searching out who needs the blessings we find ourselves in an empty building with someone who is clearly crazy. After two hours of conversation with him and silent prayers on what to do we end up giving him a short blessing.<br /><br />I know prayers are answered. I'm thankful we are safe. Good night everyone. CRAZY!<br /><br />Thursday October 21<br />Companion is sick today. Home today studying.<br /><br />Friday October 22<br />Zone Conference<br /><br />Elder Ringwood came from the Quorum of the Seventy. I thought we were going to get yelled at but we didn't. I got to become part of the lesson though. Intense!<br /><br />He was asking us about what makes a good missionary. I said that a good missionary is himself and is genuine and real. I thought I said something wrong because he just stared at me. He then asked if I was true to myself. I thought I was in trouble but I said yes. He stared at me longer and asked me if there was a problem with other missionaries. Now I really thought I had done it, but I said yes. He stared at me again! and then said I agree! and then went off for thirty minutes on how we need to be true to ourselves and how there is no missionary mold. He told us not to be robots or to do fake blinks (he gave an example). He then asked my first name. I told him. He continued to teach how the Lord didn't call ELDER Woodruff to Seattle but he called Elder STERLING Woodruff on a mission to Seattle. It was really cool.<br /><br />Well, that's the highlight of my day. Good night!<br /><br />Saturday and Sunday October 23-24<br /><br />Been super tired. I fell asleep during sacrament and gospel doctrine class. We've taught two lessons. Extremely tired!<br /><br />Monday October 25<br />Cultural Day in Seattle<br /><br />We went with Brother Wargo. It was a fun day! We saw a lot of the city. We did Pikes Place and stuff.<br /><br />Tuesday October 26<br />Haircuts! I finally got my haircut today. It was getting a little long but I'm looking good again!<br />One lesson with the Howard Family. After that it was difficult to find anyone who would let us in.<br /><br />Wednesday October 27<br />One lesson today.</div></div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-12838394091105238562010-10-12T14:59:00.000-07:002010-11-13T15:25:33.919-08:00Friday October 1, 2010<br />Got out of the car and walked today. It was a beautiful day. Steak for dinner. :-) It was really good. That was it. That was our day.<br /><br />Saturday and Sunday, General Conference<br />I loved Elder Holland's talk on thanks and felt like he said everything I wanted to say to you and dad. Thank you so much. This was my first Priesthood session without dad. Kinda sad, but you'd have been proud when all the missionaries were asked to stand I was standing. I'm so glad I'm here.<br /><br />After Sunday's session of conference we went to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sundwalls</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">home</span> and they know Uncle Dan. I guess Dan told them to tell me hi. That was really cool!<br /><br />Monday October 4<br />Found out that P-day activities have now been banned in our mission. We can no longer play any <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">sport</span> as a zone or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">district</span>. I'm disappointed but I understand. Last week 3 elders were seriously injured and one even was sent home for surgery. So today my companion and I went shopping. I bought a thermal shirt for service. We taught a lesson to Luke about prophets.<br />Went to a ward members <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">home </span>who just purchased a new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">camaro</span>. It was a beautiful car. He gave us a ride and even offered for me to drive it. I declined. It's against mission rules.<br /><br />Tuesday, Wednesday<br />Nothing out of the ordinary. We taught two lessons one on gossip and another on accountability. Both turned out well. I got no mail so I re-read Brittany's letter. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span><br /><br />Thursday October 7<br />Interviews with Mission President!<br />Taught Luke another lesson and he set a baptism date for Dec 2. I was so happy to hear that. It's amazing to hear someone say they want to be baptized.<br />I got a letter today! It was from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Allie</span> Parr. What a fun surprise.<br /><br />Friday October 8<br />Went <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span> today in Fall City.<br />Got your letter today!<br />Our lessons all canceled and no one was home.<br />We are going on exchanges tonight with the zone leader. I really like the zone leaders. I'll be with Elder Price.<br /><br />Saturday October 9<br />I'm with Elder Price and we started by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span>. We had two people tell us we weren't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Christians</span> and that we were going to hell. We politely said we believed in Christ and left them our card. The rest of the day was service. We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">worked</span> at Brother Marques doing odd jobs. While we were working he invited friends over to help with the work and we taught them little mini lessons while we worked.<br /><br />Sunday October 10<br />I'm so tired! I'm just exhausted!<br />Church was nice. Luke came to church. We ate dinner at a members home and then went out <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span>. I;m really tired and ready for bed.<br /><br />Monday October 11<br />I found a copy of the newspaper clipping and I'm sending it home. Today's P-Day and nothing is really happening.Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-20367640375558799452010-09-30T14:47:00.000-07:002010-11-13T14:59:41.411-08:00Tuesday September 28<br />This morning is a lesson with our only <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">investigator</span>. His name is Luke and he's 19, dating a a girl in the ward. After the lesson we went <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span>. We mowed Allie's yard and she cuts our hair and fed us fried chicken. It was much appreciated. We then went to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Howards</span>. Brother Howard is a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">professional</span> drummer so he played for us inside his studio. It was really cool! We ate dinner at a members home.<br /><br />Wednesday September 29<br />We met with Luke again today and will meet with him again tomorrow. We had a district meeting and went on half day exchanges. I went with Elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Leffler</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">who</span> is a great elder! We went <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span> and then off to a lesson with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hoffmans</span>. Brother Hoffman is a really neat guy. He knows <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> about the church and scriptures. I always get taught by him instead of me teaching him. I like him <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">al ot</span>. Something he said was a new thought for me. Instead of praying and asking for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">something</span>, pray and give thanks for what you desire and don't have yet.<br /><br />Thursday September 30<br />Well I'm famous! and so is my companion. We made it into the local newspaper working at the wards food drive. So fun!<br />Met with Luke and talked about temples and watched a video on temples.<br />No mail this week. :-( Kind of sad.<br />Maybe tomorrow :-).Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-15705680563324129522010-09-27T14:26:00.000-07:002010-11-13T14:43:29.600-08:00Tuesday September 21<br />So today was P-day and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">probrably</span> the most relaxing one I've had. I was able to do my shopping and then kicked back and relaxed. P-day is normally the busiest day but it wasn't today. <br /><br />Wednesday September 22<br />Zone meeting. Long day......<br /><br />Thursday September 23<br />So, today was ward correlation. That's when we meet with the ward mission leader and today we were brainstorming with all the ward m<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">issionaries</span> on how to serve the people better and expand our missionary work. I had been thinking about this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> because we've been getting nowhere with what we've been doing.<br />I put out the idea of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span> in service clothes and offering service to people on Saturdays. My companion doesn't like physical <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">labor</span> so he shot it down. Brother Shaw sent an email to our Mission President while sitting there and asked for approval. President <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Larkin</span> emailed right back and gave it an okay! I sure hope it's a good idea.<br /><br />Friday September 24<br />A really good day. We lined up some service for tomorrow, at 12 we are unloading hay into a barn and then at 4 we are cleaning up a single sisters yard with the Ward Mission Leader..<br /><br />Saturday September 25<br />Great Day!!! So we went and filled the barn with hay, which I found I'm allergic to hay on my arms. Then I put together a shelf unit for a sister who needed help. We helped Brother Marques with post hole digging to fix a fence and sanded his trailer, cut off some old rusted bolts and at least got the job started for him. It sure makes me think of working with dad on projects. It was a great day!<br />We did 8 hours of non-stop service.<br /><br />Sunday September 26<br />Fast Sunday. I've come to love fasting. This companionship has really been a growing experience for me. I think the Lord wants to see if I can do it.<br /><br />Monday September 27<br />Played <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">frugbee</span> with the zone. Elder Smith broke his hand, he's the zone leader. He was falling and put down his hand to catch himself and I guess he popped some bone.Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-80956507614772672752010-09-20T14:06:00.000-07:002010-11-13T14:46:06.244-08:00September 13, Monday<br />P-DAY! No zone activity because our zone leaders took their culture day. Culture Day - a one day thing, you get to go visit the sites of Washington. I haven't taken my culture day yet. So today we played football as a district. My team got killed but it's a;; good because it was fun.<br />I do have to say that my companion rigged the whole game. He made himself a team captain and then he made me a team captain. He then picked his whole team and left me with every guy that has never played football. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span> We had a ton of fun and we scored a couple of touch downs. :-) Goodnight!<br /><br />September 14, 2010 Tuesday<br />On exchanges on Mercer Island. I'm with Elder Dennison until 2pm tomorrow. We get along really well and I enjoy working on Mercer. Lots of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Maserati</span> and ferries out here.<br /><br />September 15, 2010 Wednesday<br />Midweek! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Woohoo</span>! I only spent about 5 hours with my companion, Elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Endicott</span>. I'm now on another exchange with Elder Price, staying in my own area. I really like exchanges. They're a nice change from the stresses of my companion.Worked hard and I'm tired.<br /><br />September 16, 2010 Thursday<br />On a<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">nother</span> exchange with Elder Price. I learned <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> from him while <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span>. I'm praying for transfers. I taught three lessons today. I'm doing my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">push ups</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sit ups</span> every morning and night.<br /><br />September 17, 2010 Friday<br />I got your letter and was really excited! It sounds like the family had a fun trip to Oregon. I love letters!<br /><br />Saturday 18, 2010<br />Taught five lessons and got two new investigators! It was such a good day. Two corn dogs for comfort food. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span><br /><br />Sunday 19, 2010<br />Neither I nor my companion are being <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">transferred</span>. I just wanted to cry. This has been a difficult time but there must be something for me still to learn.<br /><br />Monday September 20, 2010<br />It's 2 pm and we just got back <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">from a</span> General Authority devotional, Elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kakoochi</span>, from the Quorum of the 70. He came and talked about baptizing more and believing more in the power of God. He also taught us how to teach better.<br />I got my warm clothes and blankets from you. Thank you. I've been cold.<br />All my love.Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-46924227045456192332010-09-13T17:28:00.000-07:002010-11-13T14:05:03.052-08:00<strong>Quilt Made It Just In Time</strong><br /><br />Monday September 13, 2010<br /><br />Thank you for sending my blanket. It's getting really cold here.<br /><br />If you could send me another sweatshirt and those winter leggings you bought me for the last winter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">camp out</span>. I'm cold!<br /><br />So we're teaching two people. One is a 19 year old guy who is investigating because of a girl. Which isn't bad but you can tell he's not fully into the whole thing. He is still progressing. Another man we're teaching is from a part member family. It really makes me think of how we have to put the Lord first and what we want second. If the gospel is true it's true and everything else in the world comes after the Savior and what he has asked us to do.Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-30526162176199585812010-09-03T16:34:00.000-07:002010-10-18T17:36:14.597-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppTnILBJCJgzj7rmvn_2kp1FjgLgoSX1fcco65YNRSorfDY1S7mCLyCys50hib2OijJuMvoRGo563jckLv1QtT8MTcId6rGLDfIqU51sg4ncKthUgCgW-vPQKf3gLjnQonV0hiYwnx94/s1600/Elder+Woodruff+in+Distribution+Center+IMG00384.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529534974722974290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppTnILBJCJgzj7rmvn_2kp1FjgLgoSX1fcco65YNRSorfDY1S7mCLyCys50hib2OijJuMvoRGo563jckLv1QtT8MTcId6rGLDfIqU51sg4ncKthUgCgW-vPQKf3gLjnQonV0hiYwnx94/s320/Elder+Woodruff+in+Distribution+Center+IMG00384.jpg" /></a><br /><p align="center">MISSIONARY SIGHTING!!</p><p align="center">September 2010</p><p align="center">Elder Woodruff with companions in the Distribution Center.</p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-89146420362345546072010-09-01T16:45:00.000-07:002010-11-13T14:44:30.418-08:00<strong>September 1, 2010 Not Too Bad of A Day</strong><br /><br />I sent off a couple of letters this morning. Hmmm. District meeting was today so we didn't tract very long. In the afternoon, Elder Endicott needed to take another Elder to the doctor so Elder Martin and I were companions. We played a game left in the apartment during break and had a good time. After break we started out to go tracting and saw a sister in the ward mowing her lawn. So we mowed her lawn for her and put out some mulch for her. Soon my companion joined us and lended a hand with all the mulch. It was a good service for a sister who needed the help. Love to serve others!<br /><br />Beat Elder Endicott at Mancala three times tonight. Than you Lauren for whoeing me how to be good at that game. :-)<br /><br /><strong>Friday September 3, 2010<br /><br /></strong>Again, not so bad of a day. I got a couple of letters in the mail. Love those! One was from the Phillips Family and one from Brittany. Letters really help me along so thank you very much!<br /><br />We are going on exchanges tonight. I will be with Elder Twingstom who is a really good missionary and I really enjoy him at P-Day activities. Well, I'm off to bed. Thank you for your love and prayers.<br /><br /><strong>Saturday September 4, 2010<br /><br /></strong>The exchange was great! I loved ever minute of it. We didn't teach any lessons so we did tracting most of the day. Tracting takes a long time and gets really old, really fast so we started joking and stuff between doors.<br /><br /><strong>Sunday September 5, 2010<br /><br /></strong>Today was not a good day. Struggling with my companion. I nad to sing hymns and fun songs to make it through the day. I don't understand individuals who rejoice in being "not nice". Anyway, you'd be proud of me mom. I kept my cool.<br /><br /><strong>Tuesday September 7, 2010<br /></strong><br />Had exchanges on Mercer Island. Love the exchanges!<br /><br /><strong>Wednesday September 8, 2010<br /></strong><br />Still no sighting of bears. There are lots of detroyed garbage cans though. I heard a little dog got out and was eaten by a bear. Poor little dog. :-( I wish I could have been there to save the little guy. It could have been my chance to fight a bear! LOL<br /><br /><br /><strong>Friday September 10, 2010</strong><br /><br />Great Day! Exchanges are always great! We worked hard all day. Didn't teach any lessons which was tough but did do service. We helped a brother on his property do some work. He had a wire fence that had grown into some trees, so we chopped it out. Know there is a gospel lessons in the wire in the trees, I'll have to expound on it later.<br /><br /><strong>Saturday September 11, 2010<br /></strong><br />National Day of Service so we did service. We helped with the ward food drive until around 1:30 and then tracted after.We taught one lesson with a less active family. They gave us dinner. I really miss your cooking mom. You are a good cook. I love you all. Good night. :-)<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529543669329243010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7HDDK08SIO2YaLkKYqjg9MJgKGBlEoXfIsXBGkz3GRIX_hMMkriDawgaOCZdSw1mQN4WPUxOxC8GnyLmUEP6GY3enuti97QK6_e6wqfBTZHOmOkvLvTKm2iPbOLbvIqZ7Vvabeex3sA/s320/Elder+Woodruff+doing+service+Newspaper+1018100756.jpg" /><br /><br /><p><strong>Sunday September 12 </strong></p><p>I Got your package!</p><p>I love it! The zone leaders brought it to church with them. I'm writing with one of my new pens. Thank you for the little airplanes and silly putty. I also like the Elder Woodruff action figure. I loved it all!! The music is great too! I can't wait to listen to it all. My CD player is acting up. I'm looking for another one but I'm having diffculty finding one. </p><p>Thank you a million times! Transfers are coming up next week. Pray for me to have a change...if it's the Lord's will.</p><p><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-44964258641871542102010-08-31T18:05:00.000-07:002010-10-18T17:27:04.238-07:00The Temple and Exchanges - Great Days! <div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Monday 8/23</div><div></div><div>P-day! Had a fun day playing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">frugbee</span> which may be banned here soon, too many missionaries have been hurt I guess. :-/ We went shopping and bought some corn dogs for the next week. That's about it. Oh, and one lesson! Good night.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Tuesday 8/24</div><div></div><div>Great day! All the district leaders and zone leaders have leadership training, so I get to go on exchanges. I love exchanges. Today we got two lessons! While <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span> we found two potential investigators on a street that is listed in our records as a really tough street. Great! :-)<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Wednesday 8/25 </div><div>Leadership training is still happening so I'm in another area today. No new lessons but we did teach three lessons in their area with investigators they already had.</div><br /><div>Thursday 8/26</div><div></div><div>Another day in a different area. I normally dislike going on exchanges but I've really enjoyed these. I'm still learning patience. Still pushing forward.</div><br /><div>Friday 8/27</div><div></div><div>Two exchanges in one day! It's the last day of leadership training. I spent the majority of the day in Elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Simons</span> area. Then we went and picked up our companions. We had a 24 hour exchange with two other elders. I stayed in my area and Elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Endicott</span> went to Mercer Island.</div><div>Great day of work!</div><br /><div>Saturday 8/28</div><div></div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Today's</span> exchanges were a blast! I love Elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Denison</span>! He is a really cool, nice guy and we got along really well. </div><br /><div>Sunday 8/29</div><div></div><div>Today was a really fun day at church. I did fall asleep in sacrament which was well needed but not the best timing. We got to teach Sharing Time in Primary! What a blast! Elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Endicott</span> didn't relate well with the kids so it was my moment to shine. I taught the restoration and how they can invite their friends to church, scouts and activity day. Then they let the kids ask us any questions they wanted about missionary work. They had a lot of good questions. And then there were some like, "Have you ever used a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">porta</span> potty while <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracting</span>?" It was a ton of fun and I loved every minute of it!</div><br /><div>We also had a dinner appointment at a members home where I was able to teach more! Greatest joy! I'm happy!</div><br /><div>Monday 8/30</div><div></div><div>Today is normally P-day but instead it's going to be Tuesday. We get to go to the temple! </div><br /><div>Nothing really happened today and I'm super tired so I'm just going to head to bed. We did have one lesson <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">with the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sundwalls</span> who know Uncle Dan and Aunt Marie. Well, that's all folks. I'm off to bed.</div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Tuesday 8/31</div><div>Today was a long and exciting day! Tell you tomorrow. Good night.</div><div><br />Wednesday 9/1<br /></div><div>It's September! well it is almost 9 am and I'm trying to write this letter before I have to start getting ready.</div><br /><div>Yesterday was fantastic! We got to go to the temple! I have wanted to go to the temple so badly and being able to was great! I really miss the Los Angeles Temple though. The Seattle Temple is nice but the LA temple is kinda "my" temple. I really like how the LA temple is so beautiful inside. I also miss going there with you dad and Tito's Tacos afterwards. :-)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtexn_CVkGsii9x8FqjYcaoiGgiUTrWULXEfKG7B_1pKp6Ao6ZzMMtRqC4GbZJ3EnpKA3Id5t4WDlJ1hSyrlvYW7zYM-nmQ2nNsmmSFOYZ6N0yIWU326lUgBylWSTXa8SWL5gSJNaW7_A/s1600/Los+Angeles+Temple.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 264px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516207556998978850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtexn_CVkGsii9x8FqjYcaoiGgiUTrWULXEfKG7B_1pKp6Ao6ZzMMtRqC4GbZJ3EnpKA3Id5t4WDlJ1hSyrlvYW7zYM-nmQ2nNsmmSFOYZ6N0yIWU326lUgBylWSTXa8SWL5gSJNaW7_A/s320/Los+Angeles+Temple.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jYQQW75mDuocaoaGKgiJndMhYziagvznZeJnNC4EHXhOHZ2-VG7QxwYop2gfRBTnQKaUXVP_ksMIgF9_v3Ft_G_uWcvvk8UpwUO0i79T2h1ks72jl4dwGidObvPgXdrG4ggH6lQMRrY/s1600/Seattle+Washington+Temple.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 264px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516205643782041458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jYQQW75mDuocaoaGKgiJndMhYziagvznZeJnNC4EHXhOHZ2-VG7QxwYop2gfRBTnQKaUXVP_ksMIgF9_v3Ft_G_uWcvvk8UpwUO0i79T2h1ks72jl4dwGidObvPgXdrG4ggH6lQMRrY/s320/Seattle+Washington+Temple.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><em>Right: Los Angeles California Temple<br /></em><div><br /><em>Left: Seattle Washington Temple</em></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><seattle></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtexn_CVkGsii9x8FqjYcaoiGgiUTrWULXEfKG7B_1pKp6Ao6ZzMMtRqC4GbZJ3EnpKA3Id5t4WDlJ1hSyrlvYW7zYM-nmQ2nNsmmSFOYZ6N0yIWU326lUgBylWSTXa8SWL5gSJNaW7_A/s1600/Los+Angeles+Temple.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtexn_CVkGsii9x8FqjYcaoiGgiUTrWULXEfKG7B_1pKp6Ao6ZzMMtRqC4GbZJ3EnpKA3Id5t4WDlJ1hSyrlvYW7zYM-nmQ2nNsmmSFOYZ6N0yIWU326lUgBylWSTXa8SWL5gSJNaW7_A/s1600/Los+Angeles+Temple.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">I feel bad I wasn't able to write dad a longer email yesterday. I was trying to respond to Lauren's email and read our mission news letter and write my mission president an email and write back to your emails. It was just all really stressful!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">I really miss my family and wish I had spent more time at home and doing things as a family. I'm so sorry that I put other things as a priority.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">The leaves are beginning to change <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">colors</span> here and the rain has arrived. It's going to be a cold day today. I think it's suppose to be in the high 50's, low 60's. We have our heater on today too. Which reminds me...can you send up the blanket and stuff I left behind? It's really getting cold at night.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Love and miss you guys so much. I know the Lord has something great for us around the corner. Have a good week everyone.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">P.S. stamps are running low :-)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Love, Elder Sterling <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Woodruff</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><em><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-62263403411601640872010-08-22T17:49:00.000-07:002010-10-18T17:25:20.646-07:00Challenging Week<br /><br />Monday 8/16<br />P-day! Played basketball, went shopping and took a needed nap. Taught one lesson!<br /><br />Tuesday 8/17<br />Good day! We set out with a new goal in mind and got two lessons! Helped someone move.<br />I think I'm growing...my ankles and legs hurt really bad at night.<br /><br />Wednesday 8/18<br />Today we taught three lessons and one new investigator. Patience...patience is a virtue.<br /><br />Thursday 8/19<br />Taught one lesson today! YEAH!!<br /><br />Friday 8/20<br />Found a new investigator today and I can't wait for exchanges. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sooo</span> happy!<br /><br />Saturday 8/21<br />On exchanges today.<br /><br />Sunday 8/22<br />Spoke today at church. Super nervous! I guess it was good or everyone was just being nice.<br />Struggling with an argumentative companion. Sorry for all the dumb <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">arguments</span> I ever had with anyone over very unimportant things. My eyes have really been opened to the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">argumentative</span> spirit". Not a good thing on a mission. It takes too much time away from the work.<br /><br />Being spiritually challenged is much harder than being physically challenged. I've really been pushed this week. I love the work! When you see the gospel moving in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">someones</span> life it is so exciting!Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-6453406974720078762010-08-15T16:25:00.000-07:002010-10-18T17:24:36.225-07:00I'M IN <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">SNOQUALMIE</span>!<br /><br />Tuesday, Aug 10<br />Well, I'm in my new area! =) I'm in a car again. :) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Snoqualmie</span> is in the southern area of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bellevue</span>. It's a pretty small town that is full of new developments. It's all been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">tracted</span> many many times. My new companion is Elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Endicott</span>. He's from Maryland. He's a really nice guy and I think we will get along.<br /><br />I got you guys package today =) I loved it all! Lauren's scroll is hanging on the wall and so is Brittany's Mickey :) Thank you for the gliders and the Target cards. The gliders were a great ice breaker for me and my companion. Oh, and thanks for the picture <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> Christ, Lauren. I'm off to bed.<br /><br />Wednesday, Aug 11<br />First full day <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">in</span> the new area! Boy oh boy it's going to be a hard area. Very much an upper class area, the people are not interested and the majority already know us. I guess there hasn't been a baptism in the area in two years. The members are young families. We only taught two lessons yesterday. Last week they only taught three lessons for the whole week! I'm just trying to show how hard the area is. I can do it though :)! Bring it on!<br />I still l<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ove</span> my pictures and letters. They are hanging on my wall. Off to bed.<br /><br />Thursday, Aug 12<br />Now that I'm not on a bike I'm working out more but the work is still slow. Zero lessons today. It was a long hot day. We are still trying to find different ways to introduce people to the gospel here. Well, I'm tired.<br /><br />Friday, Aug 13<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zippo</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">itto</span> lessons! :( I'm trying and praying but feel so useless. I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> up against a spiritual challenge here. BRING IT ON!!!! Good night everyone.<br /><br />Saturday, Aug 14<br />One Lesson! 1! YEAH!! Got 1!<br />It was a member lesson but it's still a lesson. ;)<br />Still pushing onward. Hurrah for Israel! Good night.<br /><br />Sunday, Aug 15<br />Went to church. It's a really young ward. Had dinner at a members home. Tried to visit a few other ward families. One lesson.Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-73653930399015678942010-08-10T13:21:00.000-07:002010-08-10T13:34:43.903-07:00Tranfers - Where am I going?<br /><br />its great to see that you had the missionaries over!!! i love going to members homes and teaching them, it really does make our job a lot easier if you have someone to refer them to so keep your eyes open and pray for the chance to share the gospel and be able to have the missionaries sent to their home =)!!!<br /><br />well this week has been crazy! I'm being transferred to a new area!!! =(<br />i don't know where to yet or who my companion is sooooooo yeah makes me really nervous =/. i don't know if i need a bike yet because i dont know where i'm being moved to. i may be able to barrow a bike again.<br /><br />im excited and nervous and sad all at the same time. im sad because the girl we put on date for baptism and have been teaching i won't be there for when she is baptised =( i still get to count it as my baptism but i wont be there =( im also sad because i've come to like it here. its been a hard area for me and i've struggled physically and spiritually and i've learned so much and now i have to leave =(. im nervous for the new area. you know how i do with change =) gaaaaaaaaaaaah im so anxious!!!<br /><br />i'll be so happy to get letters!!! =) i'll start writing home more too =) i mailed a letter home yesterday so you should be getting it soon =) i love you guys so much =) i miss you all. im going to need brittanys new address so i can still write her. i hope all is well at home. hey do you think i could get a pair of sanuks like dads? there is an elder out here with some and i guess they are approved =) sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! if you cant its ok too =). i look forward to getting your package i love packages and goodies =)<br /><br />the lord is with us! PRESS FORWARD! NEVER GO BACKWARDS!Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-83328015887567169962010-08-08T15:57:00.000-07:002010-10-18T17:25:57.485-07:00<span style="font-family:georgia;">Wk of Zone Conference and Transfer Notification</span><br />Monday, August 2<br />Emailed home, then shopped. didn't buy much because of up coming transfers. I did get a new rain jacket on a really good summer deal at Fred Meyer. Played soccer and frugby for zone activity. (frugby is a mix of football, rugby and ultimate frisbee) Taught a lesson and moved a baptism date to the 21st. Stopped by and visited with a sister in the ward.<br /><br />Tuesday, Aug 3<br />ZONE CONFERENCE! Got new phones! Many things maybe changing in the next 6-12 months. I'm excited! =) Majority of lesson was on obeying. Back to the basics. Goal for baptisms at the end of the year for mission is 720. Afterwards we stopped by to see a family but they weren't home so we went to another's home who we've been trying to see and she was home! WHOOO!<br />Set up a lesson for Thursday at 7pm. Went to mutual, got hit by a water balloon and then got a ride home from zone leaders. YEAH! We didn't have to walk up hill. =)<br /><br />Wednesday, Aug 4<br />Did tracting on top of the hill in the morning. No one was home but we did meet an excommunicated member who does not want to come back to church. Tried to talk to everyone we saw. Taught a recent convert family at 1pm, lesson was on faith. Went to Bishops meeting. Tracted some more. Set up another lesson . Good Day! Pizza for dinner =)<br /><br />Thursday, Aug 5<br />Today we started off by tracting at our apartment complex. Then we went to contact some less actives who were not home...so went to an older brother's home who is only able to come 1-2 times a month because of health. Shared with him a faith lesson, Hebrews 11. Did service at 4pm for and elderly lady. Tracted some more then taught a lesson we had set up earlier and we're able to answer some concerns. Set up another lesson with a less active. Another good hot day, 90 degrees.<br /><br />Friday, Aug 6<br />Good day! Got a new investigator. Taught lesson 3 from preach my gospel to another. Did weekly planning at a hamburger place, Chicaco Willy's. Planned a really good week. That's all the good points of the day.<br />Realized today that I'm not budgeting this month very well. :-/<br />Time to cut back :-( Good night.<br /><br />Saturday, Aug 7<br />Transfer call day! It started off with me chipping my tooth playing basketball with the zone. It's not that bad but it still hurts. We only taught two lessons today...no one was really home =/<br />Well I am getting transferred =( I won't get to see the baptism that's coming up but it's not about being there. I helped bring this sister closer to Heavenly Father. Well off to bed. good night everyone. =)<br /><br />Sunday, Aug 8<br />Last day I'm in Auburn. =) Well at least the last Sunday. Gave my testimony at church to say goodbye and then we have spent most of the day saying goodbye to members that we've been close to. We taught another lesson to the young lady that's being baptized. Excited that she knows the church is true. Well I have to pack and get to sleep.Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-25872223314496002822010-08-02T12:05:00.000-07:002010-08-02T12:25:35.840-07:00New Mission President- Pres. and Sis Larkin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dtMjJu_sasie07WLWNP3FKhrqUrpTPrfMkK-A5WKHheZVyAHKwCgwiPOWfE8_XQzn3HKpYiUQsXthSXExLzsUEXuFf3s1tm_2wf8J-DvAHqBkV5l9qGiJEiWhALAOqgn26_jS3BZni0/s1600/woodruff.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500894703844944578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dtMjJu_sasie07WLWNP3FKhrqUrpTPrfMkK-A5WKHheZVyAHKwCgwiPOWfE8_XQzn3HKpYiUQsXthSXExLzsUEXuFf3s1tm_2wf8J-DvAHqBkV5l9qGiJEiWhALAOqgn26_jS3BZni0/s320/woodruff.JPG" /></a><br /><div>July 28, 2010<br /><br />Dear Parents of Elder Woodruff,<br /><br />My wife and I arrived a few weeks ago to preside over the Washington Seattle Mission. Our names are Todd and Laura Larkin and we came to the mission from our home in Las Vegas, Nevada. We have a ten year old daughter named Allie and a thirteen year old son Levi with us in the mission field, and a son named Jordan who turns eighteen next week and is currently in the Missionary Training Center preparing to go to Nagoya, Japan on his mission. We dropped Jordan off at the MTC on June 30th and then reported to the Washington Seattle Mission about noon on July 1st. We anticipated a very joyous moment as our son marched into the MTC to serve a long awaited mission, but we sure found out that along with the joy it was also about the hardest thing that we have ever done. We quickly found out how difficult it is not to be able to contact him regularly and check up on how he is doing.<br /><br />After our experience with our own son, we could not let another day go by without sending you a note to let you know how your son is doing here in the Washington Seattle Mission. We have met with every missionary in the mission at least twice and Sister Larkin and I have each had personal interviews with every missionary. Sister Larkin has discussed personal health issues in detail and has insured that each missionary is taking proper care of their physical, mental, and emotional health. She has also learned everything about your family and has done her best to make sure that each missionary writes home regularly.<br /><br />I also had a twenty to thirty minute interview with your son, Elder Woodruff and want you to know how impressed I am with his testimony and commitment to our Savior. You should be very proud of the incredible missionary that you have raised and sent here to preach the Gospel. You son has truly been an instrument in the hands of God in bringing many people to a knowledge of the truth.<br /><br />We are sending a picture taken the day we had our interviews. Thank you so much for all the training you have provided in your home and for raising such a valiant child of our Father in Heaven. We know that we can never be a substitute for your affection, but we promise that we will keep our arms of love wrapped tightly around your precious child until the day that you are reunited together again.<br /><br />With Warmest Regards,<br /><br /><br />President and Sister Larkin</div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-25889250728474620862010-08-02T11:39:00.000-07:002010-08-02T11:44:10.196-07:00August 2 Work Is Slowwell all is well here in auburn =). we are working hard but we are being tried ourselves. the whole mission is really. i guess we are at an all time low for baptisms in our mission =/ but elder jones and i have a girl on date for baptism for the 14th of august!!! transfers happen on the 10th so i dont know if ill see it or not. even if im not there i get to count it because i did all the teaching for it. lol <br /> <br />WOW DERIK IS COMING HOME!!!! thats soooo crazy!!! it seem so far away for me. its not even really. one of our zone leaders is going home on monday this is his last week i cant wait to be going home! well i can, but to be able to look back and see the end product of working for two years will be amazing!!! you know what i mean.<br /> <br />so does the family have a plan? or just go with the flow and pray that the spirit guides? i cant wait to get your guys letters i look forward to them so much!!! tell brittany and lauren to write i like hearing from them too and i think im going to start doing that writing what we do everyday thing and start mailing it home. well i love you. you guys are in my prayers =)Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-40528379516543282532010-08-02T11:12:00.000-07:002010-08-02T11:30:49.940-07:00July 26 Just Found Out His Family is in Search of Workthings are going great and transfers are coming up in a couple of weeks. i have mixed feelings about leaving here now. ive come to kinda like this area and i love the people. <br /><br />i got your guys package and i have loved it!!! i was going to buy some shirts for you guys today but i felt like i should wait and now i know why hahaha =) i hope money isnt too tight. well its super sad to hear about what has happened with dad and dan =( but i know that there must be something more. <br /><br />it sounds like you guys have had a fun time in texas and its great to hear about justins call! i wish i could have been there =) <br /> <br />we have one girl on date for baptism. she is dating one of the young men in our ward we have her on date for aug 14th so we are hoping that it goes though. she is reading the book of mormon and says she knows its true. i hope this all works out. <br /> <br />i love you dad with all my heart i miss you and mom and brittany and lauren so much. i know that there has to be something better around the corner for us and i hope it all works out.<br /> <br />love your son <br /> <br />Elder sterling woodruff<br /> <br />p.s. where should i send letters to brittany? and when will i hear from lauren again?Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-5807534935807665942010-08-02T11:09:00.000-07:002010-08-02T11:11:48.446-07:00July 19 Running Late - Been SickSo how are things? im doing well we are running late today so i cant type too much.<br /> <br />we have had a long week. me and my companion have been really sick and had to stay in a day this week. we are getting better now but my head is still conjested. i wish i could have been there for the reunion and grandmas 50th year thing that would have been really cool.<br /> <br />the lady that has the cancer is in the hospital and we havent been able to see her. we still dont have many people to teach so we do tract a lot and we get a lot of people simular to tyler's experience hahahaha except its only 69 degrees here hahahaha =) <br /><br />the church is true and i love this gospel.<br /><br />elder sterling woodruff ( your favorite son =) )Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-73155306101404786072010-08-02T10:54:00.000-07:002010-08-02T11:31:27.163-07:00July 12 Speeding Down A Hillwell i have had an answer to prayers and i dont have to buy a bike i got another bike that is really nice that another missionary let me borrow. i did need some socks today so i bought some at fredmeyers with my home account. my KB socks all have holes in them from playing soccer and basketball in them. <br /> <br />well this week was still pretty long but a good week. we have an older lady in the ward that has us come ove about two to three times a week. she is dying and the spirit is always really strong there. its sad watching her be in pain but she says she always looks forward to us coming. she is such a nice lady and loves the church. <br />we are not teaching anyone right now so we are doing a lot of tracting. we have a lot of interesting people answer the door =/ some are clothed and some arent hahaha and and the ones that are not are discusting!!!! hahaha! not to mention they are normally guys too =/ blah!!! throw up in your mouth gross!!!! so the work is going forward here but it is slow. <br /><br />oh! i did ride my bike down this massive hill and got a max speed of 38 mph or at least thats what the little speed thing on my bike said, so that was pretty cool. <br /> <br />i havent got the package yet but im really looking forward to it. its been a while since i got one =) i love you i hope all is well tell me how home is =) <br /><br />the lord is blessing us both greatly and he is also trying our faith. i love the work. i am loving the people. i love the lord and the church. i hope all is well have a good week =) <br /><br /> <br />love elder sterling woodruffKristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-72034101738161361072010-08-02T10:50:00.000-07:002010-08-02T10:54:04.304-07:00July 5, 2010Hey mom =)<br />well things are getting a lot better here =) i thank you for all your prayers i still need them but things are better. i can now ride up the hill with out so many problems (can you say six pack?) the lord has really blessed me here and ive been humbled very quickly. ive never prayed so much in my life. how is texas? i hope things are going well. we are teaching a lady right now. we tracted into her. i think she may get baptised. she came to church yesterday and had a great experience. elder jones (my companion) says he thinks i was sent here for her. i hope she gets baptised before the end of this transfer so i can leave this area hahahahahaha! <br />oh yeah i got the shirts =) they fit perfectly and they help a lot. i also have to buy a bike now =( the elder i was barrowing the bike from needs it back. dad says i have money in my account to buy one with. well times almost up i hope you have a safe drive =) i love you mom have a good day =) and tell lauren i love her too =) and that im waiting for a letter back!!! thanks for everything =) say hi to the family for me =) (xoxoxo) thats for grandma =) bye mom =)Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-71435903867529626372010-06-30T13:41:00.000-07:002010-06-30T13:48:22.075-07:00A Grueling Hill in Auburn WA - Pray for MeHey,<br /><br />im now in auburn, my new companion is elder jones and he is from utah. he is a nice guy. <br />we live on the biggest hill in the mission and now im on bike which isnt that bad but we do have to ride up the hill a lot. im borrowing a bike from another missionary right now and its a really nice bike so im grateful for that. i pray all day especially when im going up the hill. i try singing a hymn i usually sing "be still my soul" when im going up the hill. <br />we dont have too many investigators here. we did tract into one lady that i think is going to interested. we go back to her house on Thursday. hmmmmmm there is nothing else really. <br />i did have to use some money from my BofA account for shopping it was only $8 though im trying to budget my self out. i was really tempted to buy some snacks today but i practiced self-control and said no hahahahahaha. <br />ive lost a lot of weight here. im not eating a lot and being on bike makes you burn off a lot. im trying to stay happy and find the good everywhere. im reading in the book of mormon im now in alma i think chapter 10 im also outlining preach my gospel so thats good. <br />please pray for me.<br /><br />love elder sterling woodruff.Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-73422230384202032022010-06-22T15:20:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:27:53.857-07:00June 22 First Transfersorry this email is going to be kinda short. its because transfers and P-Day are both today!!! CRAZY!!! there is so much to get done. i dont have my new companion yet but i will meet him right after im done emailing. its good to hear that all is well at home. i miss you guys a ton and tell lauren not to worry she is getting a letter. i just got her letter on tuesday of last week so i have not been able to write her yet. i really like the picture she drew! i pinned it up on my wall next to my bed. thanks for sending tylers letters and ill start doing the same. ill just send home a letter a week with every day on it. well i have to go. i love you pray for me and my next companion =) <br />i have seen one of the guys i was in the MTC with. he was the one that gave me the tie. he gave me a big hug and we had lunch together he is still a brother =) i havent seen Elder ikahihifo yet though. everyone says he is a good missionary but he is crazy lol. i did here that the lakers won and i think its awesome that artest finished the game like that. brings back memories of playing on the PS3 huh? ron artest hits the three from outside!!! sterling wins!!! hahahahahahahahaahaha! i miss that so much. i miss you so much. im hoping to be serving some where you did dad. i would love that! how do you like your new grill? is it bigger than the one we had before? well i have to go get my new companion. i love you have a good day =)Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-69256027875738069452010-06-22T15:10:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:20:01.789-07:00June 14, 2010its great to here that summer has hit bakersfield. its has yet to arrive in seattle. today is probably in the 60s which is nice im not complaining at all =). Dad told me about his ICD implant thats great! how are you feeling about reno now? better? =) im pretty excited about it. tell lauren congrats on the dance recital thats really exciting. i wish i did dance longer than what i did. i plan on taking like ballroom dancing and stuff when i get back to BYU-I. well this last week for me was pretty hard. we had our girl that was set up for baptism drop off and had no one to teach and our one member referral got poisoned while working on his lawn =/. satan is trying his hardest to keep us from teaching which has made it a hard long week but my head is still high and im pushing on =). thanks for mowing the lawn =) im happy i dont have to do that anymore but i have helped a lot of people move.......so i guess im still doing a lot of manual labor. please pray for me transfers are coming up and im nervous.<br />dad! i got a hug from you yesterday =)! it made me tear up a little bit. brother Blythe came up and gave me a hug and said it was from you =). i love you dad.<br /><br />Love, Elder Sterling WoodruffKristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-725550847867563392010-06-22T15:05:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:37:40.076-07:00June 7, 2010i love geting emails from you guys i look forward to it every week but a hand written letter is always nice too =). WOW thats crazy about grandma gormley! and its really good she is feeling a lot better. well all is going well here <br />right now im in mosiah reading about abinadi. its really cool im really getting into the scriptures and theyre becoming alive to me. i almost look at them like a really intense tv show or something so im really enjoying them. my companion is from nephi utah he is a cool guy and we get along well =) i am in a car right now which is nice and we only have one ward, im doing well with the lessons and hmmmm we are in a apartment that is small and really old. the members feed us twice a week and i think im getting bigger from both growing and eating and working out. so yeah =) how is home have you been to reno yet? how is it here?Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983800284253462286.post-12684019836899822132010-06-22T15:01:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:05:36.300-07:00June 1, 2010Hey!!!!! yeah yesterday the libary was closed so we get to email today.<br /> <br />well lets see.....this week was good we are still teaching the a guy who is doing better but thats about all im really working on. im starting to miss home but i just try to focus on the work. <br /><br />hmmmmmmm what else is going on oh yeah ive been growing =/ my gray pants dont fit =/ im not gaining weight though =/. the beehive book store here sells clothes but im going to try to just get by with just my suite pants and stuff. <br /><br />i still have the same mission president but we get a new one like..........next week. a lot of people are nervous and think he is going to be hard =/ so we will see how things go. well im doing ok.Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088500641550590304noreply@blogger.com